Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission Announces Week 7 Medallion Recipients for 2026 Ed Doherty Award
Centennial, Coconino, Desert Edge, Eastmark, Higley, Maryvale, Ray, Sunnyslope, Tempe, and Yuma Catholic are home to medallion recipients and candidates for Arizona’s top prep football player
PHOENIX (October 7, 2026) -- The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), have announced the recipients of the 2026 Week 7 Ed Doherty Award Medallions, recognizing outstanding performances from Week 7 action.
“This week’s recipients show how many different ways a player can make an impact, from scoring touchdowns and creating turnovers to winning battles in the trenches. We’re proud to recognize these 10 student-athletes for their outstanding performances and the contributions they make to their teams. Congratulations to each of them on earning an Ed Doherty Award medallion.”
Nikki Balich, Executive Director, Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Week 7 honorees include Nate Jones (Sr., RB/DL, Desert Edge); Miles Woods (Sr., WR/CB, Maryvale); Zaiden Virani (Sr., RB, Eastmark); Dax White (Sr., LB, Higley); Brody Amon (Sr., WR, Yuma Catholic); Kelton Rogers (Sr., RB, Sunnyslope); Jaleel West (Sr., QB, Tempe); Chase Chester (Jr., RB, Ray); Tate Jones (Sr., LB, Coconino); and Benjamin Lowther (Sr., OT, Centennial).
Each nominee will be presented with his medallion at his respective school this week and is now in the running for the 2026 Ed Doherty Award, annually recognizing Arizona's most outstanding high school football player. This year's recipient will be announced at a special luncheon for the Top 10 nominees following the conclusion of the season. For more information on the award, please visit www.azsportsent.com, or call 480.517.9700.
Week 7 Medallion Winners
Ten student-athletes earned Week 7 Ed Doherty Award Medallions and entered the qualified award pool.
Nate Jones
Desert Edge High SchoolJones rushed 11 times for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns while recording 12 tackles (8 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks against Canyon View.
Miles Woods
Maryvale High SchoolWoods caught 4 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown while adding 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions. Had 1 punt return for a 65 yard touchdown against North Canyon.
Zaiden Virani
Eastmark High SchoolVirani rushed 19 times for 216 yards and 5 touchdowns while adding 2 receptions for 39 yards against Mesquite.
Dax White
Higley High SchoolWhite recorded 13 tackles (10 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hurry, and 1 pass defended against Perry.
Brody Amon
Yuma Catholic High SchoolAmon caught 9 passes for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 3 solo tackles and a fumble recovery against Sunrise Mountain.
Kelton Rogers
Sunnyslope High SchoolRogers rushed 23 times for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns and added a 10-yard touchdown reception against Ironwood.
Jaleel West
Tempe High SchoolWest completed 13 of 19 passes for 326 yards and 5 touchdowns, with 1 interception, against Greenway.
Chase Chester
Ray High SchoolChester rushed 9 times for 271 yards and 5 touchdowns while adding 1 tackle and 1 interception against Duncan.
Tate Jones
Coconino High SchoolJones recorded 9 tackles (4 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended against Mingus.
Benjamin Lowther
Centennial High SchoolLowther, one of the top offensive linemen in Arizona, helped propel Centennial to over 450 yards of total offense in a win over O’Connor.
About the Ed Doherty Award
The Ed Doherty Award serves as the State of Arizona’s highest individual high school football honor, annually recognizing the most outstanding player on and off the field. Recipients are selected for demonstrating remarkable ability combined with diligence, perseverance, hard work, and integrity in their pursuit of excellence, while also celebrating a commitment to academics, community, and school pride.
About the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) is Arizona's leading advocate for high school football, dedicated to recognizing the state's top student-athletes. The club presents the prestigious Ed Doherty Award to the most outstanding prep football player at the end of each season, and in 2024 introduced the Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award, now given annually to the state’s top girls’ flag football player. Through these initiatives, the club celebrates individual athletic, academic, and leadership achievements, promoting Arizona’s rich football tradition on a national stage.
About the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) is a non-profit organization created in 1988. The commission collaborates with hundreds of partners to help fulfill the mission of bringing national and international sporting events to the state; assisting in the promotion of existing events and Arizona sports teams; providing volunteer recruitment and organization for large-scale sporting events; and developing youth sports programs. In 2009, it assumed oversight of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2012, the Grand Canyon State Games and the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games. The ASEC was also the founding organization and owner of the 2015 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. The commission is also co-owner and strategic partner for Section 7, one of the most prestigious boys' and girls' high school basketball recruiting events in the country. For more information on the ASEC, please call 480.517.9700 or visit www.azsportsent.com.
For more information, call 480.517.9700 or visit azsportsent.com.